The number of bus passengers last year exceeded 40 million for the first time in 25 years, according to figures released by Transport Malta.
The transport watchdog’s annual report says the buses carried 43.7 million passengers in 2014, a nearly 11 per cent increase on 2013.
It was the period during which public transport was nationalised after the premature departure of Arriva as the operator. The service was being run by Malta Public Transport, which handed over to Spanish transport company Autobuses de Leon last January.
The patronage figure for 2014 was 10 per cent over the peak of 1990, when 39.8 million passengers used the bus service.
Usage then went into decline until it reached an all-time low in 2002, dropping below the 30 million mark, and remained in that region for nearly a decade.
Transport Malta pointed out that, with the introduction of day tickets in 2011, which allowed commuters to do multiple journeys on the same ticket, patronage level had to be calculated based on estimates.
As from this year, following the introduction of the new tariff structure which came into force last month and the axing of day tickets, more accurate data will be available.
Reliability was monitored through surveyors stationed at key locations
According to the figures, punctuality was another strong point of the service in 2014, reaching 97 per cent, a three per cent improvement over the previous year. Punctuality was defined as trips operated within 10 minutes of the scheduled time.
However, it was pointed out that missed trips were not included in this data. The average performance was relatively constant throughout the year except for March and October when punctuality dropped to 88 and 90 per cent respectively.
Average reliability in 2014 (number of buses operated compared to number of buses scheduled to be operated per hour) was also measured at 97 per cent. This showed an improvement of five per cent over the previous year.
Reliability was monitored through surveyors stationed at key locations across the network and also by electronic means.
Last year the regulator carried out 2,960 inspections on board buses, a further 3,186 checks on drivers and staff and 714 inspections on infrastructure used on the provision of the scheduled bus service.
For some reason no details were given about how many times the company was found in breach of its contractual obligations.
The Spanish takeover of the operator also meant a sharp increase in subsidies. In its final year Arriva received €10.6 million from taxpayers’ money to remain afloat.
However this year subsidies are set to rise to €23 million, with a further increase next year.
Popularity of lift reaches new heights
In its second full year of operation the popularity of the Grand Harbour Barrakka lift, which is operated by Transport Malta, saw a 22 per cent rise in patronage.
More than 580,000 passengers made use of it when compared to 480,000 the previous year.
October was the most popular month, with over 80,000 passengers.
Three of every four commuters were fare-paying passengers, whereas the rest – holders of ferry tickets or Karta Anzjan, as well as children under 10 – went for free.
In addition, on special occasions like Notte Bianca, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the service was offered free of charge.
Did you know?
• Newly registered vehicles in 2014 reached 19,212, an increase of 27 per cent over the previous year.
• The number of scrapped vehicles was drastically down by 44 per cent to 3,123.
• 56,954 licence plates were issued – a mere 277 more than in 2013.
• New driving licences and renewals were down by 10 and 13 per cent respectively.
• The number of withdrawn driving licences nearly doubled from 315 to 615.
• Just 14.3 per cent of vehicles failed the emission alert tests which were carried out on 146 cars.
• A further 63 vehicles flagged by the public through SMS were not tested as their owners did not turn up – hence their licence was not renewed.
• Last year the land transport directorate issued 2,958 tickets for various contraventions of which 51.6 per cent issued in St Julian’s between May and September.
• Four out of five vehicles tested for carriage of dangerous goods failed.
Patronage in figures
| Year | Passengers |
| 2014 | 43.7 million |
| 2013* | 39.4 million |
| 2012 | 34 million |
| 2011** | 32.8 million |
| 2010 | 31.7 million |
| 2009 | 30.6 million |
| 2008 | 32 million |
| 2007 | 32.6 million |
| 2006 | 30.6 million |
| 1990 | 39.8 million |
*Last year of Arriva
**Arriva took over in July
Source: Transport Malta